Meet Dr. Johnson
Nicole M. Johnson, PsyD, LP
“Courage doesn’t always roar. Sometimes it is the quiet voice at the end of the day saying “I will try again tomorrow.” – Mary Anne Radmacher
Dr. Nicole Johnson is the founder of River Vale Psychology Clinic and has been providing therapy for adults, children, and families since 2008. Her background includes in-office therapy, as well as intensive in-home therapy for families and children, group therapy, day treatment services, and exposure therapy in the community.
Nicole provides therapy and psychological assessments for children, adolescents, and adults. She also provides therapy services for parents, couples, and families. Nicole is particularly interested in family relationships, parent-child relationships, and early childhood behavior and development. She utilizes a strengths-based, developmental approach to working with all clients and appreciates the unique experiences clients encounter throughout the lifespan.
Nicole especially enjoys working with clients who are looking to understand and improve their interpersonal relationships through therapy. She sees relationships as a vital part of life and aims to help clients explore how they can influence those relationships for the better. She understands that, even with the best intentions, our communication and behavior with others can be challenging at times. In therapy, Nicole empowers her clients to build a positive relationship with their emotions and experiences. Emotions are an important part of our everyday life, but they may begin to feel overwhelming and take over our lives. Therapy can help clients understand their emotional experiences and empower them to feel more in control.
Nicole has extensive experience with Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) and utilizes these approaches in therapy when they match the client’s needs. Nicole often incorporates play, art, and bibliotherapy into her sessions, particularly for young children who benefit from these modalities while processing their emotions and experiences.
Nicole also offers psychological assessments and referrals for clients who are looking to understand more about their mental health and functioning in various areas. Psychological assessments may offer clarification on diagnosis, personal strengths and weaknesses, and recommendations or next steps for treatment.
Meet Kelsey
Kelsey McCarston, MSW, LICSW
“Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?” – Mary Oliver
“I know that finding a therapist is difficult. I know that building trust can be hard and going to therapy is taking a leap into the unknown. I also know that the most important first step in the process is finding a therapist you can trust to hold your story, your life circumstances, your doubts and questions and fears, as carefully and as nonjudgmentally as possible. And I am ready to walk with you in your journey toward healing and wellness.” – Kelsey
Kelsey has a passion for working with adolescents (13+), transition age adults (18-25), and adults, as well as LGBTQ+ individuals in all walks of life. Kelsey works primarily with clients who experience anxiety, depression, have trauma histories, have symptoms of Borderline Personality Disorder, and those experiencing difficulty adjusting to new life circumstances or stressors.
Kelsey uses a feminist, anti-racist framework in her practice. She operates from a strengths-based, client-centered perspective, seeing you as the expert in your own life and see her role as assisting you in navigating toward the life you want to live. She has a nonjudgmental approach, and uses a variety of modalities in her therapeutic work, including mindfulness, DBT and CBT, and interpersonal psychotherapy.
Kelsey has a Master’s in Social Work (MSW) from the University of Minnesota and is a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW).
Meet Kendall
Kendall Schreier, MA, LPCC
“She remembered who she was and the game changed.” – Lalah Delia
“Deciding to seek therapy can stir up all kinds of emotions. Maybe it’s been a long time coming, perhaps the thing you used to do to get by isn’t working anymore, or maybe life recently threw you a difficult curveball. Either way, it can feel isolating trying to figure it out alone. Friends and family can be helpful, though sometimes you just need a safe space of your own to regroup and a safe person to walk with you while you do the hard work. I’m here to offer support, help you practice vulnerability, learn more about yourself, take risks, and try new coping skills. There’s no judgment or race to the finish line, just a commitment that the effort will be worth it one way or another.” – Kendall
Kendall is a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC) with a Masters Degree in Counseling and Psychological Services from Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota. She has over six years of experience working with adolescents and adults in an intensive outpatient setting, providing individual therapy and group programming. She primarily works with people experiencing anxiety, depression, past trauma, and adjustment disorders. Her special interests include integrated medical/behavioral health, with an emphasis on women’s health and cancer. She also has experience working with fellow healthcare providers to reduce the stigma of mental health concerns and the toll they can take on humans who help other humans.
Kendall approaches therapy with a client-centered, humanistic lens. She combines Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Motivational Interviewing, and other treatment modalities to help build upon initial strengths and supplement the parts of life that could use more support.
Kendall offers both telehealth and in-person services at this time. Her office is located in Golden Valley, MN.
Meet Maggie
Maggie Graham, MSW, LICSW
“What makes the desert beautiful,′ said the little prince, ‘is that somewhere it hides a well…” – Antoine de Saint-Exupery, The Little Prince
I believe what brings therapy to life is the relationship between the therapist and the client. Attunement and rapport are relationship qualities that I believe are essential to developing a safe and inviting space for people engaging in therapy. In my personal and professional experience, without these qualities this work loses its effectiveness. My primary goal as a therapist is to learn your authentic self, help you identify your goals and barriers, and be with you on your courageous journey.
Maggie completed her Masters degree at the University of St. Thomas, where she focused her thesis on somatic interventions for trauma, and the importance of incorporating the physical body in mental health therapies. Her background includes in-home therapy and ARHMS/CTSS services in the community, intensive outpatient group therapy, in-office therapy, and equine-assisted services. Maggie is knowledgeable in dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT) and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), and integrates relational, somatic, motivational, and solution-focused ideologies in her work. Maggie also has a passion working with animals, and hopes to include animal-assisted services to her work in the near future!
Maggie works in Minnetonka and offers telehealth.